Red: Gerald, Colin, Daniel, Chris, Phil (for first 15 minutes), Ahmet (joined at 15 minutes)
Yellow: Julius, Oz, Tufan, Alan, Joel, Phil (for final 65 minutes)
Happy Mother’s Day mothers!
A chilly breeze blew in from the east. And with it came a slow trickle of shivering men. What a wonderful open game, good counter-attacking and quick passing, initially by Yellow who took a two goal lead. Red had been a bit shaky with possession but realised the error of their ways and soon settled into a similar style. Then Ahmet arrived and joined Red and Phil swapped to Yellow. A controversial moment followed with Julius and Daniel scrambling for possession, a foul being given to Yellow and after discussions disputing it, the free kick was eventually given which probably should have been a penalty given the position but Tufan scored anyway to put them 4-1 up; he was being particularly evasive in attack. Up the other end the keeper picked up a back pass. A free kick two yards out (with Yellow parking the bus with five men filling the goal face) was taken by Gerald who crossed gently for Colin to find the only gap. The impetus had changed and Red took the bull by the horns and made up the remaining difference including a header by Ahmet from a corner but Yellow pulled a reply out of the bag to go 5-4 up just before the break.
A quick turnaround worked out for Yellow who went 7-4 up, taking advantage of the extra man but they stagnated and Red reduced it to 7-6. Daniel got a Colin clearance full in the face and collapsed in a heap. Just when Jeremy walked passed looking for some nostalgia and he promptly taunted the sprawled figure with some feeble witicism. Good to see you sir. It was end-to-end-stuff in the last 10 minutes and Yellow looked to be just about safe but then Gerald dribbled forward innocuously and took a shot from outside the area which went in off the keepers knee. 7-7 with two minutes to go. Who would be the hero? Anyone want to step up? Walk away the man taking this week’s glory? No, no one. But like I said at the start, a very enjoyable, open game and a fair result. Sorry I can’t recall many goals, a little dazed and a black eye feels imminent.
Finals score: Red 7-7 Yellow
Quote of the day: “the finger of destiny” a description by Gerald in response to him deciding to pass the ball in one direction at the same time noticing his intended recipient was pointing the other way.